Photocatalytic Steam Methane Reforming for Hydrogen Production

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
OPEN 2018
Award:
$750,000
Location:
Houston, Texas
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
02/11/2019 - 09/10/2020
Website:

Technology Description:

Syzygy Plasmonics will develop a system that uses light to catalyze reactions inside a traditional chemical reactor. The team will construct a reactor that can be used for small-to-medium-scale generation of fuel cell quality hydrogen from ammonia, to be incorporated into existing infrastructures like hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles. By using light instead of heat to drive the ammonia decomposition, the reactor can keep temperatures much lower, which reduces energy consumption, carbon emissions, and operational and capital costs while enhancing flexibility.

Potential Impact:

Syzygy Plasmonics will develop the world’s first commercially feasible, scalable photocatalytic reactor that produces low-cost and on-demand hydrogen gas at the point-of-use.

Security:

The U.S. transportation sector deeply depends on petroleum for its energy. Increasing the diversity of energy-dense liquid fuels would bolster energy security.

Environment:

Liquid fuels created using energy from renewable resources are carbon-neutral, helping reduce transportation sector emissions.

Economy:

This technology would enable hydrogen fueling stations for transportation and dramatically change the way chemicals are manufactured globally by powering chemical reactions with light instead of high heat and high pressure. Chemical sectors directly impacted include hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, fuels from CO2, and others. This technology will enhance the competitiveness of U.S. chemical and energy industries.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Dr. Suman Khatiwada
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
suman.khatiwada@syzygyplasmonics.com

Partners

Rice University

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Release Date:
12/13/2017